Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir wants Rishabh Pant to work on his mental aspect apart from improving batting and keeping skills. The ups and downs in performance might have affected his mentality. Also, the fact that his place isn't secure in the team adds pressure on the youngster.

Gambhir is hoping the COVID-19 pandemic break will give us a new Pant with a lot better mentality. Indian cricket team would need their rising talent come back in form as they prepare for T20 World Cup next year.

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“I think skill-wise you need to keep improving but mentally you have got to get stronger as well when you have to play international cricket and if you want to become a very successful international cricketer as well,” Gambhir said regarding Pant on the Cricket Connected Show on Star Sports.

Pant has been in and out from the team and he didn't get a chance in the limited-overs series against New Zealand after KL Rahul took over the wicket-keeping role.

The 21-year-old still has a long way to go and there are going to be rough patches in his career for which he needs to be prepared. Gambhir feels Pant needs to prepare himself for criticism.

“You can hit as many balls as you can and as long as you want to, but you have to be mentally strong to face those criticisms,” Gambhir said. 

“Because criticism will always be there and how you want to approach the game going forward, 4-5 months of break obviously freshens you up mentally and physically as well but going forward let’s see how he copes with the criticism as well.”